What’s Good – August 15-21, 2024
Our weekly guide to what’s going on around Buffalo and in the world of pop culture.
Thursday, 8/15
The Comedy of Errors (Delware Park, 84 Parkside Ave, 7pm, FREE)
Shakespeare in the Park moves the Bard’s comedy to the swingin’ 1970s.
Erie County Fair (Erie County Fairgrounds, 5820 South Park Ave, Hamburg, AllDay, $17, through 9/18)
Eat some funnel cake, take in some live music and some prize livestock.
Joanne Shaw Taylor (Asbury Hall, 341 Delaware Ave, 6pm, $42.50, All Ages)
This British blues guitarist was discovered by Dave Stewart of the Eurythmics at age 16, and is now grown up and touring behind her ninth studio album, Heavy Soul. With special guest Tommy Z.
Sammy Obeid (Helium, 30 Mississippi St, 8:30pm, $35)
Obeid hosts Netflix’s 100 Humans, has appeared on Last Comic Standing and America’s Got Talent, and set a world record by performing for 1,001 nights in a row.
Daniel Campo (Duende, 85 Silo City Row, 6pm)
The author signs copies of his new book, Postindustrial DIY: Recovering American Rust Belt Icons.
Davy Knowles (Iron Works, 49 Illinois St, 7pm, $20adv/$25, 18+)
Ex Back Door Slam guitarist plays acousting, electric, steel, and mandolin.
Curtis Lovell (PAUSA Art House, 19 Wadsworth St, 7pm, $16/$19)
This Buffalo singer workshops songs from her forthcoming new album.
Poetry Open Mic & Game Night (Twentysixallen, 26 Allen St, 6pm)
Co-hosted by Sara Ali and Meg Specksgoor
Karaoke Night (Milkie’s, 522 Elmwood Ave, 9pm)
The Umbrella Academy (Netflix)
The bickering super-siblings are in yet another timeline in their final season, one in which they’ve lost their powers. Look for reviews here on Subject.
Friday, 8/16
The Comedy of Errors (Delware Park, 84 Parkside Ave, 7pm, FREE)
Shakespeare in the Park moves the Bard’s comedy to the swingin’ 1970s.
Tommy Davidson (Helium, 30 Mississippi St, 7:30pm/10pm, $35)
Davidson is a comedy legend who got his start on 90s sketch show In Living Color.
Green Jellÿ (Riff City, 166 Chandler St, 8pm, $20adv/$25, 18+)
These local legends once billed themselves as “The World’s Worst Band,” had to change their name and stop performing their signature song “Green Jello Sucks” after being sued by Jell-O, had an unlikely hit with 1993’s “Three Little Pigs,” and two former members left to form Tool. They reunited in 2009, and their strange story continues. w/The Convalescence, Well Worn Boot
Good Looks (Nietzsche’s, 248 Allen St, 8pm, $12adv/$15)
Up-and-coming Austin, TX quartet. w/Passed Out, Fear of Sleep
Mark Winsick (Duende, 85 Silo City Row, 6-8pm)
This member of the Buffalo Music Hall of Fame plays classic rock-inspired originals and covers.
Broadway Rave (Rec Room, 79 W Chippewa St, 7pm, $27)
Theater kids unite! Sing along to this musical theater dance party while dressed as your favorite character.
Live Band Karaoke (Rec Room, 79 W Chippewa St, 10pm, $8)
Belt out your favorites in front of a live band.
Yo Gabba GabbaLand (Apple TV)
A reboot of the delightful kids show with hip musical guests.
New Movies This Week
Alien: Romulus (in wide release)
The series has had its ups and downs, but this entry, set between the first two films, is getting good reviews. A group of young people led by Cailee Spaeny explore an abandoned space station and quickly run into trouble.
Rob Peace (Transit Center, 6707 Transit Rd, Williamsville)
Chiwetel Ejiofor writes, directs, and plays a supporting role in this adaptation of Jeff Hobbs’ 2014 biography of Peace, a Yale graduate who turned to selling drugs to help free his wrongly-imprisoned father from jail.
Skincare (Market Arcade, Transit Center)
Elizabeth Banks is sabotaged by a fellow influencer with a rival skincare line in this thriller.
Ryan’s World the Movie: Titan Universe Adventure (in wide release)
A Japanese-American live-action/animated superhero movie based on a YouTube channel, and if you’re under the age of 15 that probably made sense to you.
My Penguin Friend (North Park Theatre, Walden Galleria)
Jean Reno stars in the true story of a fisherman who rescues a penguin from an oil spill and bonds with the animal.
The Deliverance (Netflix)
Andra Day, Glenn Close, Mo’Nique, Caleb McLaughlin, and Omar Epps star in this supernatural thriller from Lee Daniels.
Coraline (Walden Galleria)
Henry Selick’s unsettling animated classic returns to the big screen for its 15th anniversary.
#AAY (Elmwood Center, 2001 Elmwood Ave)
Name Nithiin and Nayan Sarika meet cute in Anji Kanchipalli’s romantic comedy. In Telugu w/subtitles.
Double Ismart (Elmwood Center, 2001 Elmwood Ave)
A dead cop’s memories are transplanted into the brain of an assassin, who must help the authorities. In Telugu w/subtitles.
Khel Khel Mein (Elmwood Center, 2001 Elmwood Ave)
Couples’ secrets are revealed at a get-together in Akshay Kumar’s return to comedy. In Hindi w/subtitles.
Mr. Bachchan (Elmwood Center, Transit Center)
Based on a true story, the authorities raid industrialist and tax cheap Sardar Inder Singh. In Telugu w/subtitles.
Stree 2 (Elmwood Center, Transit Center)
Women are being abducted by a headless apparition in the haunted town of Chanderi. In Hindi w/subtitles.
Thangalaan (Elmwood Center, Walden Galleria)
A tribal leader living under the British Raj sets out to stop a sorceress. In Tamil w/subtitles.
Saturday 8/17
The Comedy of Errors (Delware Park, 84 Parkside Ave, 7pm, FREE)
Shakespeare in the Park moves the Bard’s comedy to the swingin’ 1970s.
Tommy Davidson (Helium, 30 Mississippi St, 7:30pm/10pm, $35)
Davidson is a comedy legend who got his start on 90s sketch show In Living Color.
Summer Reading (Green Space, 137 Chapin Parkway, 4-5:30pm, FREE)
Readings by Cleveland Review of Books editor Alyssa Perry (from her forthcoming book Oily Doily), and poets Tia Brown, and Thom Eichelberger-Young, hosted by Joe Hall.
Cheat Codes (Rec Room, 79 W Chippewa St, 9pm, $38)
LA electronica group touring behind triple album Hellraisers.
Jon Lehning & Harry Graser (Duende, 85 Silo City Row, 1-2pm)
Saxophone & piano duo playing a variety of styles.
Bilmuri (Iron Works, 49 Illinois St, 7pm, SOLD OUT, 18+)
Post-hardcore one-man show from ex-Attack Attack! member Johnny Franck.
Lyfe Jennings (Electric City, 433 Pearl St, 8pm, $39-$100)
It’s been several years since R&B singer Jennings has released an album or assaulted a woman, but he’s done his share of both.
Bidwell Parkway Farmers Market (Bidwell Parkway, 8am-1pm)
Fresh produce and locally-sourced goods, Saturdays through 11/23.
Sympathy Hounds (Nietzsche’s, 248 Allen St, 8pm, $10)
Celtic Sessions (Nietzsche’s, 248 Allen St, 4pm, FREE)
Sunday 8/18
The Comedy of Errors (Delware Park, 84 Parkside Ave, 7pm, FREE)
Shakespeare in the Park moves the Bard’s comedy to the swingin’ 1970s.
Tommy Davidson (Helium, 30 Mississippi St, 7pm, $35)
Davidson is a comedy legend who got his start on 90s sketch show In Living Color.
Zinefest 2024 (WNY Book Arts Center, 468 Washington St, noon-5pm, FREE)
Local zinesters distribute, trade & sell their publications on three floors.
Susan Peters Jazz Band (Duende, 85 Silo City Row, 4-6pm)
Tuesday 8/20
Open Mic (Cucina @ Hotel Richardson, 444 Forest Ave, 6-8pm)
This weekly open mic features music, poetry, and comedy. Register at jkonze@douglasdev.com.
Open Mic Night (Milkie’s, 522 Elmwood Ave, 6-9pm)
Wednesday 8/21
BoDeans (Electric City, 433 Pearl St, 7pm, $15.50-$54.50)
This roots rock band came to fame in the 80s with hits including “Only Love” and “Closer to Free.”
Plant Cinema Workshop (SIlo City, 85 Silo City Row, 6-8pm, SOLD OUT)
Squeaky Wheel presents a handmade film workshop, led by filmmaker Kathryn Ramey.
Open Mic Night (Helium, 30 Mississippi St, 7pm, FREE)
Over 20 comedians perform — free, but reservations required.
Comedy Open Mic (Milkie’s, 522 Elmwood Ave, 9pm)